LA PAZ – Oil company YPFB-Andina, in which Spain’s Repsol has a 48.92 percent stake, won exploration rights in two areas in the eastern Bolivian region of Santa Cruz, state-owned energy company YPFB said.

YPFB-Andina will explore for oil and natural gas in the Carohuaicho 8B area, which covers 98,750 hectares (243,827 acres), and the Oriental area, which sprawls over 96,875 hectares (239,197 acres), YPFB, which has majority control over YPFB-Andina, said in a statement.

YPFB-Chaco, another YPFB unit, won the rights to a third area, Carohuaicho 8A, and will also participate in the exploration work in the two areas.

Carohuaicho 8A, which covers 100,000 hectares (246,913 acres), is also in Santa Cruz.

YPFB CEO Carlos Villegas and representatives of the other two companies signed the “oil services contracts for exploration and production in these areas” last week, the state-owned oil company said.

The chances of successfully finding hydrocarbons in the three areas are estimated at 20 percent, YPFB said.